NORTH KOREA Election: Leader Kim Jong-un ‘not on ballot’

North Korea’s election has resulted in the expected landslide win for its authoritarian leadership – but in a big first for the country, Kim Jong-un does not appear to have been on the ballot. If confirmed, it would be the first time a North Korean leader has not run for its rubberstamp parliament. The vote […]

North Korea’s election has resulted in the expected landslide win for its authoritarian leadership – but in a big first for the country, Kim Jong-un does not appear to have been on the ballot.

If confirmed, it would be the first time a North Korean leader has not run for its rubberstamp parliament.

The vote did see his sister, Kim Yo-jong, elected to the body, however.

The leader’s younger sibling has been gradually moving into a more influential role.

North Korea’s parliamentary election is used by Pyongyang to legitimise its rule, but is condemned as a meaningless exercise. Each voting slip has only one state-approved candidate on it.